Doubting being an RN b/c physical problems

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2011

as i was saying, i would recommend becoming a nutritionist or social worker. they also work in hospitals and home care. before you can work any nursing job they give you a very tough physical. lift fifty pounds-twice. walk on the floor with your knees bent[i couldn't believe this]

i have never had to do that, so i would not go so far as to say "any nursing job."

leslie :-D · Sep 10, 2011

op, even if it isn't ideal, you could shoot for home health or home health hospice nursing.

it's not ideal because you're on your own, relying on your judgment and assessment skills, and it's honestly too early for any new grad to be doing this.

you need a solid yr of med surg behind you...2 yrs would be even better.

but.

there are agencies who will hire the new grad.

if you want to chance going with them, it'd be physically possible...

but again, not ideal.

i'd recommend seeing your college advisor and your pcp for their input (as advised).

leslie

Flo., BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2011

I would not recommend nursing for you. Before I was hired for my job I had to pass a physical test. I had to pick up a 50# box from the floor and carry it across the room and back and then place it on a shelf above my shoulders. I also had to kneel, squat and do all sorts of other movements that nurses do everyday.

If you manage to pass clinicals and pass the pre employment physical, have you thought about your work environment. Nursing is a busy and demanding job. If you constantly need to ask your coworkers for help with lifting, turning and moving patients I think they will come to resent you. Most of the time nurses on my floor are too busy to get all their breaks I can't imagine how upset they would be if they were put even farther behind because a co worker couldn't pull her weight.

Try a career in allied health. Your body will thank you.

Guest717236 · Sep 10, 2011

Thank you :) I feel like you; I feel like God placed me here in this program and everything. I am just very insecure. I don't want to quit and then regret it. Really I am just so confused. I wish you the best.

You appear to have a love of caring. One of your best resources is to address your concerns with your orthopedic surgeon.

Let him/ or her know of your passion for nursing and the limitations you feel

you are experiencing physically. He or she is in a great position to advise you of your options.

There are many options for nursing and maybe a job teaching classes for patients about patient education in whatever specialty you are interested in.

For ex. ,your ortho may have a nurse teaching classes pre op for joint replacement.

These nurses often assess the patients environment at

home for safety considerations. There are nurse who teach new diabetics how to manage their new health issue.

Do some exploring and I hope you complete your program and

find the best job option for you. :nurse:

Good luck!

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Sep 10, 2011

For ex. ,your ortho may have a nurse teaching classes pre op for joint replacement.
These nurses often assess the patients environment at
home for safety considerations. There are nurse who teach new diabetics how to manage their new health issue. {
But ok, lets be REAL here - there are all kinds of non-traditional nursing jobs BUT they are RARE, you often have to know someone to get them, you often have to have some kind of prior experience in that specialty, etc.
It is misleading to the OP to make it sound like these jobs are a dime a dozen and she will have no trouble finding one. It is not realistic and it is very probable that she will not come out of school and get one. Heck the new grads can't even find a traditional job in a hospital or LTC!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2011

Nursing is a physically demanding job....nursing school is a physically demanding curriculum.......I wish you the best but it truly may not be physically something you can do....but i would check out my doctors that know me and I would speak with the school.....sending my prayers for you.

on eagles wings, ASN, RN · Sep 10, 2011

Nursing is a physically demanding job....nursing school is a physically demanding curriculum.......I wish you the best but it truly may not be physically something you can do....but i would check out my doctors that know me and I would speak with the school.....sending my prayers for you.

Thank you... I'll update you all on Monday...

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2011

there are low-physical-requirements options in nursing-- we see questions about this all the time-- but they all require that you 1) graduate from nursing school and 2) have some floor experience as an actual, like, nurse.

unless i am missing something, i don't see you saying that you can do #1, much less #2. if you can suck it up and do it, then good on ya. but if you can't, well, i am not eating you and not being mean and negative by saying this: maybe you will come to the realization that it is not written that you can be a nurse just because you really want to. "if caring were enough, anyone could be a nurse" applies to physical as well as intellectual shortcomings.

go to your college's career planning office and your dean of academics and work out a plan b.

Guest717236 · Sep 11, 2011

For ex. ,your ortho may have a nurse teaching classes pre op for joint replacement.
These nurses often assess the patients environment at
home for safety considerations. There are nurse who teach new diabetics how to manage their new health issue. {
But ok, lets be REAL here - there are all kinds of non-traditional nursing jobs BUT they are RARE, you often have to know someone to get them, you often have to have some kind of prior experience in that specialty, etc.
It is misleading to the OP to make it sound like these jobs are a dime a dozen and she will have no trouble finding one. It is not realistic and it is very probable that she will not come out of school and get one. Heck the new grads can't even find a traditional job in a hospital or LTC!
Then you know that nursing goes in cycles. The year before I graduated there were tons of jobs,and new grads had their choice of nursing jobs.
The year we graduated, very difficult. But, everyone in our class was able to secure a job. The current economy is a more challenging time for everyone,not just nursing. Many traditional professions that had job security are now threatened.
The OP asked for non physical jobs. I gave two examples. No one knows what the future job opportunities will be, that is a given at any time no matter what profession an individual selects.
The teaching RN opportunities are not rare in some areas, so please do not generalize.
I will stand by my recommendation for her to consult with her MD, her medical tx team can help advise her what would be available and reasonable should she select nursing as a career.
Meanwhile, I plan to support her in whatever career choice she makes, nursing or not.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2011

In Oz we don't lift now, but you still have to get up on beds - kneeling - to transfer patients, squat a lot, run around & up and down corridors like a mad thing. Most days you never get to sit down either.

The thing is you are only, did u say 21 now was it? Nursing is SO much harder when u get older. I was nursing when I was younger and I find it difficult - almost impossible some days now - to bounce back from shift work. I used to do late/earlies but had to stop that as I actually fall asleep at the wheel driving. I can't get up for earlies like I used to. And doing more than 2 nightshifts sets me up for colds and chest infections. Although many people are being positive and helpful, you do have to remember that the dummies you are lifting in class are not real, heavy, most times uncooperative people who will not help you one-little-bit. And you will come across many, many of those, and don't forget that obesity is on the rise. I mean, lifting an obese person's leg might mean you are lifting 20 kgs or more - and that is just their leg!

Only you can know ur physical limitations. Some people can incorporate their limitations into their work place, others find it very difficult. I would say you could try a year of nursing with clinicals and see how you go, then sit down with your doctor and do a review after that.

A good thing for you would be to start a weights program. I have been doing this and I have noticed life gets easier. I can carry loaded shopping bags easier and running round at work isn't so hard. You should go check out some gyms near you, and start weights and/or swimming. This will help strengthen your general core muscles and your spine.

RNdiva505 · Sep 12, 2011

That sucks! But just remember to just get through nursing school. The old saying is, "A, B, C still equals a degree" So if you can't move that manequin and end up with a B. Blah, whatever on to the next clinical!

FYI to be a nurse educator you are going to need experience first I believe. So do something you are passionate about, then sign up for your dream job.

You can Do It! :nmbrn:

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

Thank you... I'll update you all on Monday...

I'm looking forward to hearing what you come up with.